Sofidel, among the world's leading groups in the production of paper for hygiene and domestic use, known particularly in Italy and Europe for the Regina brand, celebrates in 2026 the first 60 years since its foundation.

It will do so with a program of internal and external initiatives that will unfold throughout the entire year. The objective is to reaffirm the identity values that have fueled the Group's path, today, as always, projected towards the future, according to a vision oriented towards responsible growth and founded on the value of "Clean Living", a positive force that promotes a cleaner, healthier and more harmonious life for everyone.

Born in 1966 from the entrepreneurial intuition of Emi Stefani and Giuseppe Lazzareschi (in the photo below), the Sofidel Group – still today entirely owned by the founding families – is in an important expansion phase, particularly in the United States, a market where it has invested over the last 3 years more than 1.7 billion dollars to become the fourth largest player for production capacity in that market, as well as being the second player in the European market.

The celebrations will first and foremost look to the over 9,500 people who are part of Sofidel in 13 countries in Europe and the USA.

Two Anniversary Days are planned, which will be held in June at the Group's headquarters in Porcari (Lucca), the historic seat of the Group, and in Horsham, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Sofidel has its North American Corporate Office. These two events will be preceded and followed by 26 "Family Days", which will involve the Group's facilities. A calendar of events intended to constitute an ideal embrace of the entire Sofidel community: all those who every day with their work and commitment contribute to making the Group better, in Italy, in Europe and in the United States.

On the external front, among the main public initiatives, the continuation of the partnership with the Giro d'Italia stands out – which – in addition to sponsorship by Regina with brand visibility throughout the entire cycling competition – sees for this 2026 the start of a stage, the eleventh, scheduled for May 20, right from Porcari, for the Porcari-Chiavari stage, named "Paper District": a tribute to the paper district where the Group was born and grew, and where it still has its operational heart.

In this special year, always regarding the Giro d'Italia, there are other novelties. Along the route of each stage, Sofidel has an arch located 60 kilometers from the finish, precisely to celebrate its anniversary. And Regina sponsors the "Gran Premio della Fuga" (Grand Prize of the Escape), which goes to the rider who covers the greatest number of kilometers in attack during the entire race. Not only that. Sofidel also has its own "Regina" team competing in the Giro-E, the competition that takes place parallel to the Giro d'Italia on shorter stages using e-bikes with pedal assistance. A team captained by Claudio Chiappucci, "El Diablo", a cycling star of the 1990s, and composed of employees and stakeholders of the Group.

Also worth noting, in Italy, the involvement of Sofidel people in some corporate volunteering initiatives – environmental and social – in the territory, carried out with associations such as Plastic Free and Galaxy Baskin of Porcari.

"We are preparing to celebrate this milestone always projected towards the future," declared Luigi Lazzareschi, Chief Executive Officer of the Sofidel Group. "In these 60 years we have never stopped working according to an industrial logic, in a responsible manner, committing ourselves to create shared value for our people and for society, and to limit our impacts on natural capital. At a time when companies are involved in the not simple path of the double transition, the ecological and digital one, we continue to proceed with conviction in the same direction".

"Sofidel celebrates its 60 years by thanking all its collaborators who have contributed to writing a story of growth and development. And it is grateful to its customers and consumers for the trust shown over all these years. With these feelings in our hearts, and strong in our values, today more than ever we work to continue to fuel the dreams of those who founded this Group," added Paola Stefani, President of Sofidel.

The story of Sofidel is that of a family business, deeply rooted in the Lucca territory. A journey that began in an area, the Piana di Lucca, where paper production is culture, and continued with decisive stages such as the creation of the iconic Regina brand and the invention of Rotoloni – which represented a major market innovation, and made the history of Italian advertising thanks to the catchy tune "I Rotoloni Regina non finiscono mai" (Regina Rotoloni never end) – and expansion into international markets, first in Europe and then in the United States. A path along which sustainability has established itself as a strategic lever for development, fundamental for innovating and creating shared value in the long term.